L/56 Iab (?)

[Eric N]

For your consideration. An L/56 IAB:

Height=64.1 mm
Width =48.51 mm
Rifle Length=61.85 mm
Eagle Width=20.96 mm
Hinge Length=9.65 mm
Weight=39.2 g

Details on the obverse appear good with wear. The wreath is dimpled and detail on acorns is very good. However, it has a pitted surface -- particularly noticable on the eagle head, legs and talons.

The reverse concerns me, too. The hardware (hinge, pin and catch) looks correct for this maker, including the outline around the hinge. What troubles me are the blobs on the back of the badge located behind the eagles head, left wingtip and lower right wreath area. There is also a gouge located at the nine o'clock position.

The badge is also completely flat.

[Eric N]

Reverse

Reverse of L/56

[Eric N]

Hinge Detail

Hinge detail

[Eric N]

Wreath

Wreath Detail

[Eric N]

Eagle Detail

Eagle details.

[Eric N]

More Hinge Detail

Another view of the hinge.

[Eric N]

Catch Detail

The Catch

[Hans N]

Hello Eric,

your L/56 is a good one and in a quite good condition

[Eric N]

Hi Hans,

Thanks for the reply. No concerns about the blobs on the reverse? I've not seen this type of imperfection before.

Regards,
Eric

[Hans N]

Hi Hans,

No concerns about the blobs on the reverse? I've not seen this type of imperfection before.

They are not uncommon to be found on zincers. It´s where the finish starts to loosen up from the basemetall (zinc) and are called "bubbling" more commonly.

[Eric N]

This is not bubbling of the surface. It is the metal, and this is what concerns me. All dimensions, weights, etc match well with originals of this badge type, but I have only seen photos of L/56 IABs -- this being the only L/56 that I have handled. It is not a zinc badge and does not have a wash.

I've had this badge for a short while and have been troubled with the blobs of metal on the back. To me it looks like someone made a mold of a zinc badge with bubbling and then made a very good casting. Hans has given me new hope, but I'm still on the fence and leaning toward fake.

Hans, I really appreciate your input on this. Comments and opinions from others would also be appreciated. Am I being too paranoid/skeptical?

[Hans N]

This is not bubbling of the surface. It is the metal, and this is what concerns me. All dimensions, weights, etc match well with originals of this badge type, but I have only seen photos of L/56 IABs -- this being the only L/56 that I have handled. It is not a zinc badge and does not have a wash.

I've had this badge for a short while and have been troubled with the blobs of metal on the back. To me it looks like someone made a mold of a zinc badge with bubbling and then made a very good casting. Hans has given me new hope, but I'm still on the fence and leaning toward fake.

Hans, I really appreciate your input on this. Comments and opinions from others would also be appreciated. Am I being too paranoid/skeptical?

Ok, if you look on it as a fake then send it to me for half the price you gave for it

Trust me, that badge is a zincer with a thick finish. All zinc badges don´t have a washed finish on them. And here is his brother that once where a bronze.

[Hans N]

Reverse of mine

[Eric N]

Hans,

OK, I will relent. I'll put my paranoia back in the closet for now!